Straddling the Loire where it widens toward the Atlantic, Nantes is a city that reinvents itself with playful audacity. Once the powerful capital of the Duchy of Brittany and a major Atlantic port, it’s now a creative hub where medieval walls meet whimsical machines and green corridors. The birthplace of Jules Verne, Nantes likes to dream—and build those dreams at life-size.

Come for the headline sights: the turreted Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the Belle Époque Passage Pommeraye, and the fantastical Machines de l’Île with its famous Grand Éléphant. Stay for river cruises on the Erdre, Muscadet wine poured with oysters, and day trips to Italianate Clisson or the wide sands of La Baule. Between June and September, the city’s art trail, Le Voyage à Nantes, scatters installations across streets and quays.

Practical notes: speeds are gentle, trams are frequent, and Sundays are quieter with many shops closed after noon. Try local specialties—galettes and crêpes, beurre blanc with fish, Muscadet from the Sèvre-et-Maine, and the rum-almond gâteau nantais. Consider the Pass Nantes (attractions + transport) if you’re museum-hopping. As of March 2025, the major museums, markets, and venues below are open and active.

Nantes

Nantes fuses history and imagination. Wander cobbled Bouffay lanes, then cross to Île de Nantes for a promenade among giant mechanical creatures and riverside hangouts. The city’s cultural spine runs from the Castle and cathedral to the art museum and botanical gardens, with cafés and creperies throughout.

• Top sights: Château des Ducs de Bretagne, Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Passage Pommeraye, Musée d’arts de Nantes, Jardin des Plantes, Les Machines de l’Île, Trentemoult village across the Loire.
• Good to know: The Erdre is dubbed “France’s most beautiful river.” Ferry over for a color-washed stroll in Trentemoult; sunsets here glow.
• Food to try: Muscadet with oysters, galettes complètes, beurre blanc with line-caught fish, gâteau nantais, and “Rigolettes Nantaises” fruit candies.

Where to stay (walkable bases with character):

• Bouffay/Château Quarter: medieval lanes, near the Castle and cathedral—great for first-timers.
• Graslin/Passage Pommeraye: 19th‑century elegance, theaters, and classic brasseries.
• Île de Nantes: contemporary riverside vibe, art spaces, and Les Machines.

Browse stays: VRBO Nantes | Hotels.com Nantes

How to get to Nantes (NTE airport and central rail station):

• Trains in Europe: Paris–Nantes TGV in about 2 hours; Bordeaux–Nantes ~4 hours; Lyon–Nantes ~4.5 hours. Compare and book on Omio Trains (Europe). Typical fares €25–€60 for Paris–Nantes if booked ahead.
• Flights in Europe: Direct/1-stop to NTE from hubs like Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, and London. Search on Omio Flights (Europe).
• Long-haul to Europe: Compare global fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, then connect by train.
• Airport to center: 20–30 minutes by taxi or bus/tram combo depending on your address; most rides are under €30.

Day 1: Arrival, Bouffay Lanes, and a Belle Époque Dinner

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the journey with a gentle loop through the Bouffay quarter—timbered façades, tiny crêperies, and café terraces. Step into the quiet nave of Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul to admire its soaring Gothic volume.

Evening: Dine under chandeliers at La Cigale, a richly tiled 1895 brasserie near Place Graslin; order a seafood platter or a classic vol-au-vent and watch the theater crowd drift in. For a nightcap, the bar at Le Lieu Unique (the former LU biscuit factory) pours natural wines and Breton ciders in an artsy setting.

Day 2: Walk the History—Castle, Cathedral, and Old Quarters

Morning: Kick off with a tailored city primer. Meet a local for a private intro that adapts to your interests—street art, history, or food stops.

Nantes Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour)

Before you start, grab coffee at Café Piha (roastery vibe) or a butter-rich pastry at Patisserie Guerlais.

Afternoon: Explore the Château des Ducs de Bretagne ramparts and the city history museum inside (allow 1.5–2 hours). Cross to the cathedral’s tomb of François II and Marguerite de Foix, then browse indie shops around Rue du Château.

Evening: Dinner at Pickles, a produce-led bistro pairing Loire fish with herbaceous sauces and serious wines. Prefer casual? Slide into a stool at La Perle for oysters, whelks, and a glass of Muscadet.

Day 3: Electric-Bike Panorama, Machines of the Île, and Passage Pommeraye

Morning: See more with less effort on an e-bike loop that stitches together riversides, gardens, and contemporary landmarks—great context for first-timers.

PANORAMA TOUR OF NANTES by electric bike

Afternoon: Head to Les Machines de l’Île to watch the Grand Éléphant rumble past and peek into the Galerie des Machines. Lunch riverside at La Cantine du Voyage (seasonal, summer-only) for big communal tables and simple, fresh plates; off-season, try Les Brassés, a brewery-restaurant with house beers.

Evening: Shop-and-stroll through the jewel-box Passage Pommeraye. For dinner, book L’Atlantide 1874 (fine Loire seafood and stunning plates) or opt for Lamaccotte, a contemporary bistro where the chalkboard changes daily. Craft beer fans can sample rotating taps at Sur Mesure.

Day 4: Gardens, Art Museum, Market Lunch, and a Puzzle-Hunt

Morning: Breathe in the Jardin des Plantes, a 19th‑century botanical garden with whimsical sculptures and exotic greenhouses. Continue to the Musée d’arts de Nantes for French and European masters alongside bold contemporary works.

Afternoon: Graze your way through Marché de Talensac. Pick up aged Comté, rillettes, berries, and oysters shucked to order; enjoy a standing-lunch atmosphere locals love. Then turn the city into a clue board with a self-guided scavenger hunt—fun for couples, families, and friends.

Nantes Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Sights

Evening: If the weather’s kind, catch a golden-hour Erdre cruise (boats depart near Quai de la Motte Rouge). For dinner, Les Chants d’Avril delivers seasonal cuisine with Loire wines; music lovers can finish at Le Ferrailleur, an independent venue on Île de Nantes with live sets and DJ nights.

Day 5: Clisson and Muscadet—Italianate Streets and Loire Wines

Morning: Day trip to Clisson, a Tuscan-feeling town of brick arcades and cypress. Trains run ~25 minutes; check times on Omio Trains (about €6–€12 each way). Explore the medieval castle and camera-ready bridges over the Sèvre.

Afternoon: Lunch on the terrace at La Villa Saint-Antoine with river views, then head to nearby Muscadet estates around Gorges or Le Pallet for tastings of crisp, saline whites (call ahead; many welcome drop-ins outside harvest). If you prefer to linger in town, browse Clisson’s artisan shops and markets.

Evening: Return to Nantes for savory buckwheat galettes at Crêperie Heb-Ken (classic fillings, house salted caramel). Natural-wine fans can sample pours at Vino Vino before strolling home.

Day 6: Atlantic Air—La Baule Beach and Walled Guérande

Morning: Take a TER train ~1–1.5 hours to La Baule-Escoublac on Omio Trains (from ~€12–€20). Stroll the 9‑km crescent beach, rent bikes for the promenade, or sip a seaside espresso.

Afternoon: Bus or taxi over to medieval Guérande for a walk atop the ramparts and a taste of the region’s famed salt. Pop into a salt-museum or a producers’ shop to learn how wind, sun, and clay craft the delicate fleur de sel. Crepe stop suggestion: Crêperie Roc Maria inside the walls.

Evening: Back in Nantes, turn the city into a steampunk playground with an outdoor puzzle inspired by Jules Verne—perfect near twilight when landmarks glow.

Outdoor escape game | Jules Verne - The extraordinary challenge

For dinner, book Les Brassés for hearty plates and house brews, or go refined at L’Atlantide 1874 if you skipped it earlier.

Day 7: Trentemoult, Jules Verne, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Sugar Blue Café (fluffy pancakes, bright salads, good coffee). Take the Navibus ferry to Trentemoult, a former fishing village with color-splashed houses and creative studios—lovely for photos and a last wander.

Afternoon: Time permitting, visit the Musée Jules Verne on Butte Sainte-Anne for manuscripts, globes, and travel fantasies that echo through modern Nantes. Pick up edible souvenirs: gâteau nantais from a local bakery and “Rigolettes Nantaises” fruit jellies. Depart for the station or airport; if you need tickets, compare times on Omio Trains or flights on Omio Flights.

Extra ways to tailor your week

• Family fun: The city’s machine bestiary delights all ages; pair it with the puzzle-hunt below.
• Rainy day: The Castle museum and art museum are excellent; add a tasting tour of Muscadet bars and bistros.
• Active travelers: Follow the Loire à Vélo out of town for riverside cycling and picnic spots.

Optional curated activities to book ahead (we included a selection in the days above):

• Private custom walking tour with a local guide
• Panorama tour by electric bike
• Self-guided scavenger hunt
• Outdoor escape game: Jules Verne

For breakfast and coffee throughout the week, also try: Artis Café (espresso-forward), L’Octopus (brunch plates), and Maison Arlot Cheng (sourdough and viennoiseries). For dinners, add Lamaccotte (market-led), Les Chants d’Avril (bistronomy), and Crêperie La Gavotte (comforting classics). Reservations are smart Thursday–Saturday.

This 7-day Nantes itinerary layers history, art, gardens, river life, and Atlantic breezes with generous helpings of Loire wines and Breton flavors. With day trips to Clisson and La Baule, you’ll feel how Nantes anchors a rich corner of the Pays de la Loire—and why locals are proud to call it home.